When talking about Erice, its name evokes ancient myths and millenary history; however it is not just a charming Medieval village with narrow cobbled streets, castles and monasteries: its name is synonymous with a territory of rare beauty where art and culture combine with food and wine traditions and where the sea is the frame of one of the most outstanding winemaking areas.
The greatest strength of these places is represented by Erice DOC wine, appreciated all over the world. Visiting these places means to meet its people and discover its excellent food and wine specialties such as oil, cheeses, and tuna products of the local traps; it is well worth stopping in one of the many local restaurants, ancient castles turned into luxury resorts (like Torre Pepoli), or in farmhouses where you can find the typical Sicilian hospitality in its authentic cuisine, or to visit wineries and craft shops.
You can start your journey from the city of Trapani, known for its beautiful Baroque palaces and its numerous churches, masterpieces of the Sicilian-Gothic religious architecture of the fourteenth century; here fishing (in particular tuna fishing) plays an important role and it is still performed with the almadraba technique.
Then, you can continue to Erice where you can taste the typical almond sweets prepared by Maria Grammatico. Continuing on, you can reach Segesta, where you can find one of the best preserved Greek temples in the world; you can then make a stop in Motya, an ancient Phoenician site immersed in the colourful Saline, or in Scopello, typical peasant village with its tuna fishery and its majestic Faraglioni rocks.
The whole area is well known not only for its artistic and natural heritage, but also for its great wines. Wine-lovers cannot miss the tasting sessions held in prestigious and world-renowned wineries, (e.g. Winery Fazio Wines, Barone di Serramarrocco, Tenute Adragna).
Furthermore, if you are passionate about cooking you should experience a cooking class, followed by a typical lunch, or a bread making workshop to learn how to make the traditional bread. You can continue your journey by stopping in the town of Custonaci, famous for its handicraft baskets.
Finally, you will enjoy visiting the Tonnara Bonagìa with its typical museum, or making a boat trip with fishermen. Unique colours, smells, people, landscape and food characterize this land. The promotion of this beautiful territory is well supported by Vincenzo Fazio, President of the association Strada del Vino Erice Doc, founded in 2005, who is always available for the many tourists coming here from various parts of the world.
